One way to help with information is to listen. Are you really listening when someone else is talking or are you thinking about what you're going to say?
Tim, IMHO, this is one of the really important life lessons. It takes some time and can come through reflection, opinions of friends or those you respect or individual research. But the realization that you could be wrong is the first step to entering discussions with an open mind. Of course that may be easier for a business issue than being objective about QAnon!
This came up just this morning over a hot beverage, how difficult it can be to accurately interpret what our feelings mean and what we actually want to do. As you say, it's much easier with a ostensibly "factual" topic vs. opinion. But the same basic behavioral process applies to all decisions/beliefs:
1) We "make up our mind" from within some type of framework, like what's important to us or what's possible, and that framework is easily influenced by outside forces and/or by our own prejudices. (Framing)
2) Having investing some form of emotional or financial capital in that process, we avoid changing our mind to preserve that capital. (Loss Aversion)
3) To reinforce our decision, we interpret information as supporting our hypotheses and/or avoid analysis that runs counter. (Confirmation Bias)
It just "feels better" to be right and to have taken action via a decision. The funny thing is that more often that not, postponing a decision is a better course of action...and no less "proactive" than rushing to judgement.
From another esteemed reader:
One way to help with information is to listen. Are you really listening when someone else is talking or are you thinking about what you're going to say?
So true. And I find it even more challenging to actively listen via video conferences. Requires effort to stay engaged.
From an esteemed reader:
Tim, IMHO, this is one of the really important life lessons. It takes some time and can come through reflection, opinions of friends or those you respect or individual research. But the realization that you could be wrong is the first step to entering discussions with an open mind. Of course that may be easier for a business issue than being objective about QAnon!
This came up just this morning over a hot beverage, how difficult it can be to accurately interpret what our feelings mean and what we actually want to do. As you say, it's much easier with a ostensibly "factual" topic vs. opinion. But the same basic behavioral process applies to all decisions/beliefs:
1) We "make up our mind" from within some type of framework, like what's important to us or what's possible, and that framework is easily influenced by outside forces and/or by our own prejudices. (Framing)
2) Having investing some form of emotional or financial capital in that process, we avoid changing our mind to preserve that capital. (Loss Aversion)
3) To reinforce our decision, we interpret information as supporting our hypotheses and/or avoid analysis that runs counter. (Confirmation Bias)
It just "feels better" to be right and to have taken action via a decision. The funny thing is that more often that not, postponing a decision is a better course of action...and no less "proactive" than rushing to judgement.